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AI Crochet Images and Patterns

 The Rise of AI in the Art World What do you think of this image? It's very pretty at first glance, isn't it? Does it make you immediately want to seek out the pattern to make them yourself? You're not alone. I took this image from a random page on Facebook that showed up on my newsfeed. I have no idea who originally made it. It's being shared by pages that appear to be run by bots, as the caption is always the exact same.  So What's the Problem? The problem is these crochet parrots are not real. That is not real crochet. The photo is generated by AI. How can you tell? Firstly, they are too perfect. Creating crochet birds that could sit like that on a perch without falling over would be challenging. The direction of some of the stitches doesn't make sense. If you zoom in, you can see the stitches on the head especially do not look like crochet stitches. The yellow feathers on the left bird's head look like real feathers, which you wouldn't be able to rep...
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Let's Talk About Yarn Types: Cotton Yarn

 Yarn Types: Cotton Yarn


Cotton yarn is one of my favourites to work with. It is less prone to splitting and fraying, and it gives good stitch definition. It has many applications and can be dyed in any colour you like. It also comes in different weights and thicknesses, for any project. Mercerised cotton absorbs dyes better and has a bit of a sheen to it, while non-mercerised cotton is duller and more matt.

What is Cotton Yarn Best for?

Cotton yarn has wide applications, it is durable and can be machine washed, making it suitable for baby items, blankets and clothing. It isn't as warm as wool and acrylic, so it is useful for lighter summer clothing. It has a soft feel to it, and is comfortable on the skin and breathable. It holds water well, and works nicely for washcloths and face scrubbies, which I have a YouTube tutorial for here.

I like making flowers with it, the stitch definition really makes the designs pop. Such as my free daffodil pattern, here. It also looks nice for amigurumi products and things like keychains. I used Hobbii's cotton yarn to make my adorable rainbow and fruit slice keychains. 










Pros Of Cotton Yarn

  • Easy to work with for beginners - stitch definition is clear, making it easy to crochet with
  • Light and breathable, comfortable for clothing and baby items
  • Durable and washable, lasts a long time and suitable for clothing and blankets
  • Dyes well meaning it comes in a huge range of colours
  • Relatively cheap compared to wool natural fibres

Cons of Cotton Yarn

  • Darker colours can bleed when wet and being washed
  • Holds water and becomes heavy when wet which risks misshaping.
  • Not stretchy, which may affect its uses in clothing and knitting tension can be difficult to maintain.
  • It can be slippery, so may not be suitable for making socks or slippers
  • The slippery aspect can make knitting more challenging as it is prone to sliding off needles 
  • Unless you buy organic cotton, there is a potential issue with pesticides as a plant based fibre

What Do You Think?

Have you used cotton yarn before? Do you like it? For me, I'm a fan. I've made keyrings and flowers with it. I've also made face scrubbies and washcloths with it which work really well for me. You can replace the disposable cotton wool pads with the reusable face scrubbies to reduce the environmental impact. I'd love to know what you think of it. 


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